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Riverside Township Board unanimously adopts $50.37 million 2026–27 budget; approves routine contracts and personnel
Summary
The Riverside Township Board of Education on May 4 adopted a $50,369,933 budget for 2026–27 with a total local tax levy of $9,581,271 and approved related contracts and personnel actions, all by unanimous vote.
The Riverside Township Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2026–2027 annual budget at its May 4 regular meeting, approving a $50,369,933 total base budget that carries a General Fund tax levy of $8,892,285 and a Debt Service levy of $688,986, for a total local tax levy of $9,581,271. Board members voted to establish a $20,000 maximum general fund allotment for travel and travel‑related expenses for 2026–27.
Board member N. Strough moved adoption of the budget; the motion was seconded by R. Wrice and carried on a recorded unanimous vote by the board members present. The budget hearing had been presented earlier by M. Adams and R. O’Brien.
Why it matters: the approved budget sets the district’s spending and local tax levy for the coming school year and funds operations, staffing and planned capital work. The measure also codifies a modest travel cap intended to limit out‑of‑district travel spending.
What the board also approved: at the same meeting the board carried multiple routine governance and operational motions by unanimous votes, including approval of minutes from the April 16 meeting; the Board Secretary’s, Treasurer’s, cafeteria and activity financial reports; payment of May 4 bills; authorization of state‑permitted budget line transfers; approval of the April fire and security drill reports; and a slate of personnel actions (resignations, new hires, rescissions and reappointments) as detailed in the personnel section.
Budget specifics: the board resolution recorded the following figures: General Fund $46,421,202 (local tax levy $8,892,285); Special Revenue Fund $2,809,466; Debt Service Fund $1,139,265 (local tax levy $688,986); and a total base budget of $50,369,933 (total local tax levy $9,581,271). The board also authorized the Board Secretary to execute attached line‑item transfers permitted by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Votes at a glance (select items approved unanimously): • Adoption of the 2026–2027 Annual Budget Statement (total $50,369,933) — motion: Ms. Strough; second: Mrs. Wrice — outcome: approved. (Provenance: SEG 009–SEG 011) • Approval of Nutri‑Serve Food Management contract renewal (2026–27) — motion: Ms. Strough; second: Mrs. Wrice — outcome: approved (flat management fee $47,580.50; total contract cost listed $998,633.44; projected return ($70,776.12); CPI 3.00%). (Provenance: SEG 018) • Capital reserve withdrawal of $800,000 for turf field and wood‑shop dust collection — motion: Ms. Strough; second: Mrs. Wrice — outcome: approved. (Provenance: SEG 019) • Acceptance of W.J. Gross, Inc. proposal to furnish and install a wood dust collection system — motion: Ms. Strough; second: Mrs. Wrice — outcome: approved (cost in attached proposal). (Provenance: SEG 029) • Interlocal Service Agreement with Cinnaminson for transportation services (2026–27) — outcome: approved. (Provenance: SEG 025) • Tuition contract with Florence Township to receive homeless students (per‑pupil rates specified) — outcome: approved. (Provenance: SEG 027)
What’s next: with budget adoption the district may proceed with the encumbered contracts and planned capital work noted in the meeting attachments. Routine personnel and program approvals take effect as listed, with many summer positions and summer school staffing confirmed for July 2026.
Speakers referenced in this article: M. Adams (presenter), R. O’Brien (Board Secretary/School Safety Officer), Ms. N. Strough (board member), R. Wrice (board member).
